Canberrans pay respect to Eurydice Dixon at Haig Park vigil

The Canberrans who came to Haig Park on Thursday night were from all walks of life but united in their message.

About 400 people gathered in dignified silence to remember and pay respect to Eurydice Dixon, a young comedian killed as she walked across a soccer field in Melbourne on her way home in the early hours of Wednesday morning last week.

Anna Williams writes a message at the vigil for Eurydice Dixon at Haig Park. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos

But they were also there to remember the 30 other women murdered in Australia so far this year.

Main organiser Blair Williams said they wanted to send the message that women belonged in the park and should be able to get home safely.

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"We chose Haig Park because it is a place that many people feel fearful of especially at night," she said.

"But we should be able to walk through the park to get home, we should be able to be here whenever and we should not be blamed for our safety."

"This is a legitimate fear that women have and our society needs to change the way it treats women and talks about women."

Hundreds of people come to the vigil for Eurydice Dixon at Haig Park. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos

Ms Blair said the vigil was a chance to speak to women of all ages about their experiences with violence across their lifetimes.

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"I spoke to people tonight who told me about their experiences from decades ago," she said.

"We all feel like this could have happened to us or it could have been our friend.

"What we also reflected on was that his is a fear women have inside their own home."

Molly Gifford, 11, writes a message at the vigil for Eurydice Dixon at Haig Park.Credit:Dion Georgopoulos

The vigil started with music and a discussion about the violence against women that occurs every day.

Attendees then wrote the names of the 30 women to have been killed this year, pausing for 30 seconds after each name.

The crowd was also encouraged to chalk messages on the foot path.

"There was everyone from of course younger and older women, to fathers and children," Ms Williams said.